The late December rain falls quietly on the deck and the cold, white overcast lies thick overhead. The Anna's hummingbirds make themselves at home on the feeder this time of year. In the summer they have more options. We are hunkered down together this grey Oregon morning.
Farley is sleeping at my feet as I enter this strange world of blogging. He'd probably rather I enter the world of sheep herding or something, but here I sit, pondering this vehicle for putting my thoughts into words.
Today, my thoughts are about gifts. Christmas has just passed. Presents have been opened and in just two days, their newness has begun to wear off. But the warmth of the giving hands remains, and the conversations, and the kindnesses.
The gifts of God are not as straightforward. I am aware that there are some gifts that we do not ask for, or want, but are given to us by the wise hand of our Creator, whether we ask or not. Some are welcome, some feel overwhelming and hard. Most are both. Yet if we are fortunate, the gifts that feel overwhelming can carve out deeper spaces inside us. And from these deeper wells, again, if we are fortunate, we may have more love to hold, and to give.
Mysterious Giver-- create in us the willingness to receive your gifts, even as they press us into the yet unknown parts of ourselves.
